U-2 Blue

Bremont is pleased to announce the release of the latest watch in their U-­‐2 collection (originally released in 2010), the blue-­faced, blue-barrelled U-2 Chronometer, U-­2/BL. Unlike others in the core U-­2 range, the U-­2/BL has an exhibition case back as standard.

The DNA of this new release lies firmly with the military following the pioneering development and dramatic success of the Bremont military air-crew watch developed in association with the world’s largest ejection seat manufacturer, Martin-Baker. The elite 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale wanted a watch with the same testing history as the Bremont MB but one that had also been custom-tested to their own requirements.

The finished U-2 chronometer has most of the advanced elements of the MB, including; the Anti-shock rubberized movement mount; designed to withstand the MB ejection seat program, but also added functionality, for example, testing that has taken the watch to 100,000 feet and -50 degrees C.

Nick English, Bremont Co-Founder: “It was a complete honour to work with the U-2 crew at Beale, CA. Their attention to deal was second to none and the end result was a rather special military watch that became the father of the U-2 retail range. The introduction of the new U-2 Blue is a striking addition to the collection. The range of aesthetics and advanced technical attributes makes the U-2 chronometer a great choice for the price point.”

About the U-2 Spy-Plane

In the early 1950s, with Cold War tensions on the rise, the U.S. military required better strategic reconnaissance to help determine Soviet capabilities and intentions. The existing surveillance aircraft were primarily converted bombers, vulnerable to anti-aircraft artillery, missiles, and fighters. It was thought an aircraft that could fly at 70,000 feet would be beyond the reach of Soviet fighters, missiles, and even radar. This would allow “over flights”—knowingly violating a country’s airspace to take aerial photographs. The result was the building of the U2, ‘Dragon Lady’ with its first flight taking place at Area 51 on the 1st August 1955.